Wednesday

May 18, 2011 at 11:57 AM

Alvin Brown's motivation was simple: it was payback time.The Ridgeland junior had gladly helped teach Hardeeville's Jarrell Knighton the finer points of the discus, but then on May 7 Knighton won the Class A Lower State discus title and Brown finished third. As last weekend's Class A state championships approached, Brown was fueled by the upset."I couldn't sleep well with that on my mind," he said. Brown had been one of the state's best in the event all season and on Saturday in Columbia he proved his worth as his throw of 144 feet, 10 inches won the title. Knighton was sixth (128-0)."I had that winning spirit, I was ready to win it," Brown said. Brown had hoped to throw 150 feet, but early in the competition it looked like his throw of 136 feet would be good to win. Eric Hampton's (Johnsonville) throw of 137-06 forced Brown to throw farther and his fifth toss was the winner.Brown, who was seventh in the shot put (44-06), said he was introduced to discus by his cousin Jamal Ferguson and he learned a lot by watching tutorials on YouTube. "My eyes are glued to the computer screen," Brown said. After watching the slow-motion tutorials, Brown heads to his backyard and spends hours working on his skills.Brown usually never parts with his favorite discus, the one he's had since ninth grade. During the state meet he used a discus given to him by another coach, but when it came time for his winning throw, he went back to the discus that is always by his side."It's glued to my hand," he said. Ridgeland had some other strong performances at the state meet.Wesley Scott finished second in the shot put (48-6). Scott won the Lower State title, but said he had an "off day" at the state meet. Brown and Scott were each named to the all-state team.The Jaguars' Saydrian Williams placed sixth in the triple jump (41-9).Ridgeland's boys placed 13th out of 29 teams. Ridgeland's Adashia Beasley was fifth in the girls 400 dash (1:03.75). The Jaguars' 3,200 relay team of Beasley, Goldy Cohen, Amani Ferguson and Loretta Young took fifth in 11:06.62. The Jaguars' girls finished 24th out of 32 teams.Hardeeville all-state performer Aaron Grant placed second in the boys 110-meter hurdles (15.32) and in the 400 hurdles (57.67). Jarrell Knighton placed sixth in the discus (128-0). The boys 400 relay team of Jamal Grant, Aaron Grant, Dominique Riley and Charlie Morrison-Ford took sixth in 43.97. Hardeeville placed 14th.Hardeeville's girls 400 relay team of Tydasha Rivers, Ravon Grant, Aaliyah Hill and Raven Grant placed second in 50.95. Hill was fourth in the high jump (4-10).The Hurricanes' girls finished 18th.

Football offers for Jags, Canes

Ridgeland football standout two-way lineman Wesley Scott has received an offer from Miami University in Ohio. Representatives from Clemson were set to attend Monday's spring practice and Scott said Maryland and Illinois have shown interest.Scott said he's excited about the attention."It feels real good," he said.The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Scott said he doesn't have a preferred school, but noted he likes Clemson "a lot." He's dedicated to working hard in practice."Last year was on and off, but this year we are going to practice how we play in the game," Scott said. According to Hardeeville coach Blake Raley, Charlie Morrison-Ford and Dominique Riley have received offers from Newberry College.

Ridgeland out of soccer playoffs

Ridgeland's soccer team lost to No. 2 seed Charleston Charter 3-2 in the second round of the Class A Lower State playoffs. The 10th-seeded Jaguars had won their first-round game against seventh-seeded St. John's.

Locals help with athletic physicals

About 30 athletes from Hardeeville's campus and 100 from Ridgeland's received free athletic physicals last week. At Hardeeville, Dr. George Sutherland (Southeastern Orthopedic Center) and Susan Henderson (Ridgeland Family Medicine) and at Ridgeland, Sutherland and Dr. Horry (Ridgeland Family Medicine) volunteered their services. Sutherland is at 16 Okatie Center Blvd. Suite 201. For more information, visit wwwlgeorgesutherlandmd.com or www.orthocentersav.com or 705-9401.Horry is next to the Piggly Wiggly in Ridgeland. His number is 717-9520.

Former grad Mitchell sets bests

Hutchinson Community College's Shaquilla Mitchell, a 2010 Ridgeland High graduate, recently set outdoor season bests in the high jump and triple at the University of Kansas Relays. Mitchell jumped 5 feet, 3 inches in the high jump and 36-10 Â¼ in the triple jump

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.